The effect of various anti‐setting systems in wool dyeing. Part 1: Hydrogen peroxide based systems

Extensive setting of wool fabrics occurs during piece dyeing at the boil and gives rise to adverse changes in dimensional stability such as variable hygral expansion, loss in tensile strength and the appearance of unsightly marks such as ‘crow's‐feet’ on the fabric surface. Anti‐setting agents such as stabilised hydrogen peroxide systems have thus been marketed to control this problem. Much has been published regarding the anti‐setting and hygral expansion properties achievable but little information regarding the chemical effect of boiling wool with acidic solutions of hydrogen peroxide is available. Fourier transform infrared reflectance spectroscopy has thus been extensively used to quantify the chemical changes occurring on boiling wool in such aqueous solutions of hydrogen peroxide.